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피터빈트

South Korean celeb programs popular in North

By 신용배

Published : March 25, 2011 - 16:09

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The popularity of South Korean celebrity entertainment programs is spreading to North Korea, according to Daily NK, an online newspaper specializing in news from the communist country.

Shows such as “Infinite Challenge” and “1 Night 2 Day,” featuring Kang Ho-dong and Yoo Jae-seok, are being watched by North Koreans on DVD, according to the report. The programs show celebrities collaborate and compete with each other in various games. North Koreans reportedly buy the DVD copies on the black market.

(KBS) (KBS)


The trend has led North Korean students to imitate games shown on the programs. North Korean citizens enjoy the shows as they get a chance to “feel as if they were actually in the South,” the report said. Some North Koreans even show the South Korean programs to their children, as they believe the programs are “educational” because they help build teamwork.

(MBC) (MBC)


North Koreans often go to rental shops to get DVDs. It usually costs 500 North Korean won to borrow a DVD, but South Korean soap operas and entertainment programs cost four times more, a price that equals a kilo of rice in North Korea.

Smugglers purchase thousands of DVDs produced in China for less than $0.50 each, according to a North Korean defector. When crossing the border, they bribe soldiers with money for the DVDs, according to the report.

By Kang Yoon-seung (koreacolin@gmail.com)
Intern reporter

<한글 요약>

한국 예능 프로그램 북한에서도 인기몰이

한국의 일부 예능 프로그램이 북한에서도 큰 인기를 얻고 있다고 데일리 NK가 보도 했다.

유명 MC 강호동과 유재석이 행하는 “1박 2일”과 “무한 도전”등의 프로그램은 북한에서도 불법 DVD 형태로 유통되고 있는 것이다.

이러한 한국 방송이 인기를 얻음에 따라 프로그램에 나오는 게임들도 북한학생들에 의해 인기를 얻고 있다.  한 주민은 데일리 NK를 통해 “(한국에) 정말 갔다 온 것처럼 많은 것들을 자세하게 볼 수 있다”고 말했다. 일부 사람들은 이런 프로그램의 게임들은 협동심을 길러준다고 하며 자녀들이 볼 수 있게 빌려가기도 한다.

북한 주민들은 대여점에서 DVD를 구한다. 보통 한 편당 북한 돈 500원 가량하지만 한국 드라마 및 예능 프로그램 가격은 약 4배 정도 높다고 전해졌다. 
이정도의 가격은 쌀 1kg을 구할 수 있는 정도라고 한다.

밀수업자들은 중국에서 1~2위안 정도의 가격으로 DVD를 수 천 개씩 대량으로 구입해간다. DVD는 뇌물 수단으로 쓰이기도 하는데 국경에서는 경비대에게 돈 대신 DVD 수 백장을 대신 뇌물로 주기도 한다고 알려졌다.

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